Relics of Blessed Martyrs From Romania Brought to Diocese of Brooklyn

by Katie Vasquez

Ovidiu Iorgovan has felt inspired to venerate a relic that is currently at Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church containing bones that once belonged to three of seven Romanian bishops who died for their faith. Four of the bishops were buried in a common grave.

“These people had a hard time, made a big sacrifice for their faith,” explains Iorgovan, who is a parishioner of St Mary Romanian Catholic Mission. “You know, there was no freedom of religion that we have today.”

Like many from the European country, he only learned of the bishops when he came to the U.S. because their stories were hidden.

When the communist regime moved in after World War II, the Romanian Greek Catholic Church was officially banned and the seven bishops were arrested in 1948.

The prelates were pressured to convert to the orthodox hierarchy but refused and all died while imprisoned. They were beatified by Pope Francis in 2019.

Father Radu Titonea is the administrator for St. Mary Romanian Catholic Mission and helped bring the relic to the Diocese of Brooklyn because he knew the bishops’ story was crucial for Romanian parishioners.

“You know, they are an example to follow,” he tells Currents News. “And faith being faithful doesn’t mean only happiness and only blue sky. Sometimes you have to be ready to sacrifice.”

The Romanian Catholic Diocese Eparchy of St. George in Canton, Ohio, is taking the relics on a pilgrimage for the first time in the U.S. Bishop John Michael Botean of Ohio hoped the bishops would not only bolster pride among the Romanian community, but deepen their faith.

“Move a little bit out of the sense that we are just a cultural group, and witness the faith in action in a very courageous and heroic way,” is what he wants to see happen.

Elena Chinda, a parishioner of St. Mary Romanian Catholic Mission, says venerating these relics was a once in a lifetime experience that prompted her to think how she can live out her life differently: “They make me think about how do I accept certain changes in my life compared to theirs.”

TONIGHT AT 7: Catholic Charities Toy Drive Makes Christmas Magic for New Yorkers

By Currents News

Everyone remembers their favorite Christmas toy: ripping the wrapping, eyes lighting up, and finding the ultimate childhood holiday joy.

But the reality is that not every child gets presents abound. That’s why Catholic Charities steps in, because when hope is lost help is found.

In East Flatbush, Brooklyn, people are getting to shop somewhere better than a store through the efforts of the organization.

Immaculate Conception Church Celebrates 100 Years in Queens

By Currents News

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan led a 100th anniversary celebration over the weekend of December 8: more than 900 people packed the pews of Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica, Queens, honoring the century since the Passionists bought the land and the stately mansion on it.

They would use that property for the community’s first-ever Mass, as well as for the rectory and monastery before getting their actual church.

During the modern-day celebration, parishioners honored their patroness by bringing flowers to a statue of the Blessed Mother.

Bishop Brennan also blessed some newly renovated classrooms.

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday 12/12/2024

December 12 marks the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and thousands of parishioners in the Diocese of Brooklyn have joined together for prayer and pilgrimage.

This week’s Tablet newspaper is getting readers into the Christmas spirit with a faith-filled gift guide and a donation campaign to ensure every child has a present under the tree this year.

Catholic teachers working in public schools are honored for their commitment to their students and their faith.

Thousands Honor Our Lady of Guadalupe at Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph

By Katie Vasquez

From the way they’re dressed to their dance steps, every part of the December 12 celebration at the Co-Cathedral of St Joseph is highlighting a faith that has been passed down through the generations.

“When we dance, yes, we dance because it’s in Mexican culture, our thought, our feeling is we are dancing to our God. We are praising him. We are glorifying him,” Father Baltazar Sanchez-Alonzo, the coordinator for the ministry to Mexican immigrants, tells Currents News.

It’s all in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, an almost 500-year devotion to the blessed mother so strong both in Central America and in the Diocese of Brooklyn that Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated two Spanish Masses, one for Queen parishes and one for Brooklyn churches, on Dec. 12.

“She teaches us to go to Christ, and that Christ is in the middle of us all. He’s walking among us. And so that’s what these people are representing, we’re celebrating Jesus Christ, walking with us through the journey of life,” says Bishop Brennan.

The coordinator for Mexican immigrants, Father Sanchez-Alonzo, says this feast broke records.

“This year we went past 4,000 people – 4,000 people, divided into two Masses,” said Father Sanchez-Alonzo. “So every year has increased.”

That devotion will spread through the streets of Brooklyn and Queens.

After Mass Bishop Brennan passes along a flame to more than 50 torch runners, which they will carry on foot back to their parishes.

“Taking the torches back to their parishes, it’s a great sign of the light of Christ being brought to the neighborhoods, witnessing to our faith and devotion,” explains Bishop Brennan.

For some the trek will be longer than others, but the runners don’t mind because they have their faith and each other.

“The community is the best part because we all come together to celebrate one purpose and it’s the mother Mary,” says Melvin Balderes, a parishioner at St. Stanislaus Kostka-Transfiguration parish in Queens. “She’s our mother, and as a mother she loves us so much that she gave her only son to us.”

Brooklyn Principal Honored by Catholic Teachers Association

By Katie Vasquez

There’s an open door policy at John Rullan’s office in William H Maxwell Career and Technical Education high school in East New York.

The Brooklyn principal says he is always open to hearing from students.

“When you see how you impact kids’ lives, it makes the job worth it,” he tells Currents News.

He adds that spending a whole school day together creates a bond between students and teacher, and the administrator views these teens as his own children.

“You’re with them so much that you become emotionally attached,” he explains. “When things go wrong and something happens to them, it happens to you.”

That frame of thinking has been a comfort to scholars who didn’t expect to enjoy going to the principal’s office.

“What I find is he basically is one with his students,” Doniele Brown, a senior at William H Maxwell Career and Technical Education High School, tells Currents News. “He’s trying to look out for everybody, be on their side, get to understand who they are as a person.”

“I feel like he controls the school with a sense of love rather than fear, which I think is a great motivator for the students,” fellow Aden Martine says of Rullan.

His bond with his students comes from his roots – he grew up in the neighborhood, attending St. Fortunata parish in Brooklyn and says he tries to instill Catholic values like corporal acts of mercy in his students.

For example when he came aboard in 2022 he created a food pantry, recognizing that some students couldn’t afford a good meal.

“I feel that when they see others in need, they realize that their lives are not as bad as they think they are. And so I think it’s very important to really give back to the community and society as a whole, to make these students successful in life,” Rullan says.

His efforts to better his students lives outside the classroom is being recognized by his peers at the Catholic Teachers Association. It’s an accomplishment he doesn’t take for granted.

“I was like, ‘Wow.’ I was shocked. But deep down inside, it’s always nice to be appreciated and to be recognized for all the things that you do,” he admits.

It’s rewarding for him to think he’s helping these students get on the path to success just by being an attentive listener.

“When the kids come back year after year and thank you for not giving up on them and really helping them to be successful, it makes you want to do more and give back more,” Rullan says.

NYC Educators Recognized for Teaching With Care and Catholic Faith

By Currents News

Catholic teachers who work in public schools were honored Dec. 11 for their commitment to their students and their faith.

Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan started the evening at Russo’s on the bay in Howard Beach, Queens with a prayer and offered his appreciation for the people who teach in New York City public schools but remain devoted to their faith.

Each of the six honorees were selected by the Catholic Teachers Association based on their work as a principal, teacher, or union member.

While religion is typically not in the classroom at public schools, these educators say they are united by faith and that the event is a way to bond.

“Any time somebody wants to just take a moment to acknowledge anybody for the work you’re doing, it feels nice. It feels good,” Noah Angeles, Superintendent for the New York City Department Of Education at New Visions High Schools tells Currents News. “ I’m just appreciative of that, for the organization itself just to take a moment tonight not just acknowledge me, but other educators in the field for the work they’re doing.”

“If you think about it, the number of our children who are educated in our public schools is enormous, and so I want to be able to support the Catholic teachers who are serving in our schools and we want to be able to support them in their good work,” Bishop Brennan says.

“Although we may not speak to being Catholic inside our public schools we are absolutely modeling what it is to be a strong Catholic, which is to lead a good spiritual life, to live a life of caring about others, compassion for others, empathy for others,” adds Patrick Burns, President of the Catholic Teachers Association.

Tonight AT 7: Diocese of Brooklyn To Celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day With Mass, Music and Processions

By Currents News

December 12 marks the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe – the Marian apparition that is venerated by many across Mexico and Central America.

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, thousands of parishioners will be converging on the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn for two different Masses.

Following the Mass a pilgrimage of the faithful, torches in hand, will spread the light of Christ through the streets of New York City.

Katie Vasquez has the history of La Virgin de Guadalupe tonight.

Catholic News Headlines for Wednesday 12/11/2024

Bishop Robert Brennan gathered with hundreds of guests at his annual Christmas luncheon at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, raising vital funds to support Catholic education and empower young people across Brooklyn and Queens.

Queens students organized a diaper drive and tree lighting at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy, creating gift baskets and raising funds for The Bridge to Life to support moms and babies.

Bay Ridge Catholic Academy’s third graders brought the Christmas spirit to life with an Advent presentation of songs and readings highlighting the birth of Jesus.

The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph hosted a packed Advent celebration with prayer, reflection, and inspiring performances by Christian singer-songwriters Matt Maher and Sarah Kroger.

Bishop’s Christmas Luncheon Benefits Catholic Education, Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn

By Jessica Easthope

The spirit of Christmas and the spirit of giving went hand-in-hand on December 11. Priests, parishioners and donors came together to support the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens, which helps provide Catholic education and youth ministry initiatives in the Diocese of Brooklyn. They’re important causes to Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan.

“The young people just continue to inspire me here in the diocese with our schools, our academies and, high schools and our youth programs,” he told Currents News.

“We need to make them feel like they are a part of this church, and they’re already on their faith journey,” added John Notaro, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens.

Every year the luncheon honors those who have made an impact in their church communities and who are committed to the future of Catholic education. This year, former American Express executive Dominick Ranieri was given the Emma A. Daniels Benefactor’s Award.

“My role, as well as all those on our board, is to help make those decisions that can help us stay sound financially and really extend the life of the school as far into the future as we possibly can,” he said.

Father Joseph Fonti was honored with the St. John Paul II Distinguished Stewardship Award. As pastor of St. Mel’s Church in Flushing, Queens, Fr. Fonti has played a pivotal role in helping build St. Mel’s Catholic Academy back up after it was set to close a few years ago.

“If we work together, educate the mind, fortify heart and soul with faith and love, we would have a success,” he told Currents News.

The Spirit of Hope Award was given to Walter and Eunice Campbell. The Campbells started the George K. Campbell Scholarship Foundation in 2006 in honor of their 20-year-old son who was killed in a car accident. The Campbells are active parishioners of Holy Family Church in Canarsie, Brooklyn and help sustain Our Lady of Trust Catholic Academy.

“We help as much as we can. That’s when the tears come to my eyes and what have you, because, he’s still alive as far as I’m concerned,” Walter Campbell said about helping his community in his son’s name.

The event is expected to raise $400,000 for Catholic education and youth ministry in the Diocese of Brooklyn.